Denomination Church of England Vicar(s) Rev. Robin C N Harger Diocese Diocese of Winchester Dedication Saint Stephen Deanery Bournemouth | Churchmanship Anglo-Catholic Organist(s) Ian F Harrison Province Province of Canterbury Archdeaconry Bournemouth | |
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Website Official website of St Stephen's Parish St Peter with St Stephen Similar St Peter's Church - Bournemouth, St Stephen's Church - B, Christchurch Priory, Sacred Heart Church B, All Saints Church - Hove | ||
St Stephen's Church is an Anglican church in Bournemouth, Dorset (formerly in Hampshire). The liturgical life of the Church was rooted in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. The Church has a magnificent Lady Chapel, once celebrating Marian masses, benediction and recitation of the Rosary for the Society of Mary. Devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham was also encouraged.
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Background
Designed by architect John Loughborough Pearson, the church was built in stages between 1881 and 1898, as a memorial to Alexander Morden Bennett, first vicar of St Peter's Church, Bournemouth. A spire was never added to the tower.
Legend has it that Pearson's aim when he designed St. Stephen's church was to create a building "which brought people to their knees."
It is a grade I listed building.
Vicars
Music
Aside from its architectural design, St. Stephen's church is also known for its music and songs, as performed by the church's choir. Each summer, the choir renders a classical series of music by Mozart, Haydn and Schubert.
The church has an organ by William Hill dating from 1898. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register. There is also a small 5 stop chamber organ dating from 1870. The specification of the chamber organ can also be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.